The Access Fund is proud to announce that the sixth annual Adopt-a-Crag kicks off during the month of September in more than 85 locations around the country with more events being organized every day. Adopt-a-Crag is the Access Fund’s signature stewardship event, a national commitment by the climbing community to natural resource stewardship and volunteerism.

Title Sponsor Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Presenting Sponsor GORE-TEX® products, and Contributing Sponsor CLIF BAR are the Access Fund’s partners in presenting this event. “The commitment of REI, GORE-TEX® products, and CLIF BAR in supporting grassroots activism to protect climbing resources and climbers’ access is outstanding. This relationship is exemplary of how non-profits and businesses can partner together and accomplish important goals that directly affect climbers and the climbing environment,” states Adopt-a-Crag Coordinator Deanne Buck.

Adopt-a-Crag began in 2000 as part of the Access Fund’s 10th anniversary celebration. Since its inception, it has drawn together thousands of volunteers in over 300 events. Through Adopt-a-Crag events, climbers have built and restored hundreds of miles of trails, hauled thousands of bags of trash, and completed multiple conservation initiatives.

Adopt-a-Crag is the most wide-ranging initiative organized by the climbing community. Activities often include litter clean-ups, visual impact mitigation, trail construction and restoration, erosion control, and wildlife monitoring.

“Adopt-a-Crag is about giving back…[but] there’s always a chance to climb a bit, watch the cliff birds fly, and have a great party with friends” says writer, long-time climber and Adopt-a-Crag organizer Jeff Achey.